Fleet Fueling Thoughts

I went back over the last 4 years and even though we are a fuel management company that wants to grow our business, we also want to protect the “regular guy”. In that time, I personally, have done over 15 newsletter articles, YouTube videos, or have been a contributing writer for other publications dealing with diesel fuel audits.

I started this business 10 years ago and I have always said this is a dirty business, and it’s not always because of the diesel fuel. There are many reasons why:

• Too busy
• Don’t have the proper tools and experience
• Know nothing and don’t want to admit it
• Not paying enough attention
• Or about 50 other reasons our firm has heard throughout the years

If you had a tooth ache, you would call a dentist, you wouldn’t try handling it yourself. If your truck needs tires you call your tire manufacture, you don’t try to make them yourself. If you’re trying to manage your diesel fuel management, you call fleet fueling expert.

If you are sitting there saying maybe our way isn’t the best way. Give us a call 267-482-6159 or email Conor Proud to talk things through a little with you at Cproud@sokolisgroup.com.

PS

Did I ever tell you the story about a client of ours in 2008? We had their bulk fuel pricing all negotiated on a formula basis and as you might recall in 2008 diesel fuel prices went wild.

They took (2) 7,500 gallons of diesel fuel, signed off on the invoices and accounts payable people paid them. Since payments on diesel fuel need to get through clients internal systems very fast to make the credit terms, we don’t do fuel audits on the same day because we don’t want to slow down the process. We do however audit/review all invoices once they are paid.

Well, this company signed off and paid for 15,000 gallons of diesel fuel for $6.50 a gallon, when the real price should have been $3.50 a gallon, the fuel supplier had a “Fat Finger Sally” as I like to say and made a really honest mistake and instead of typing in a 3 typed in a 6 on her keyboard.

When my Vice President called the fuel supplier they realized their mistake right away. When she called our client to report the error and refund that we secured, they were understandably upset with their own internal employees for not catching it first, but also understood how their accounts payable department once it is approved would not see the mistake.

They were grateful they had a second checkpoint in Sokolis to stop overcharging, whether accidental or on purpose. Final money rebated to our client, over $45,000 for 2 loads purchased on the same day.

Have a diesel fuel question, ideas or want to be a client, Call Now! 267-482-6159 or Click here.